11 Days Shangri-la Tour

Day 01  Arrive in Kunming

Activities: On arrival in Kunming, you will be met by your China guide and be transferred to the hotel to have a rest.

Accommodation:Golden Dragon Hotel Kunming

Meals: No Meals

Day 02  Kunming

Activities: Visit Dragon Gate on Western Hill, and then visit the Village of Ethnic Culture.

Accommodation:Golden Dragon Hotel Kunming

Meals: B/L

Day 03  Kunming -  - Dali

Activities: This morning you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Dali where on arrival you will be met by your friendly China Holidays guide and depart for a tour of Dali, home to the Bai minority. You will visit the Three Pagodas of the Chongsheng Temple and view snow capped Cangshan Mountain.

Accommodation:Asia Star Hotel - Dali

Meals: B/L

Day 04  Dali

Activities: Today a full day touring in and around Dali. There will be a cruise on Erhai Lake, a 250sq. km ear-shaped lake with unique fishing styles and magnificent scenery. There will also be a visit to Xizhou Township, 18km north of Dali, where you will view some of the Xizhou Bai's Houses.

Accommodation:Asia Star Hotel - Dali

Meals: B/L

Day 05  Dali -  - Lijiang

Activities: After breakfast, you will be met by your guide and transferred to Lijiang, set high amongst dramatic mountain scenery near the border with Tibet. Here you will visit the Lijiang Ancient Town and experience the Naxi minority culture.

Accommodation:Lijiang Jian Nan Chun Hotel

Meals: B/L

Day 06  Lijiang

Activities: Lijiang's inhabitants, the Naxi people are descendants of Tibetan nomads. You will continue touring in and around Lijiang today with sightseeing, which includes the Black Dragon Pool Park, the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, the Longquan Naxi Ethnic Village and the Dongba Museum.

Accommodation:Lijiang Jian Nan Chun Hotel

Meals: B/L

Day 07  Lijiang -  - Shangri-la (Zhongdian)

Activities: After breakfast at your hotel you will embark on a 198km coach journey, through forest reserves that follow the extreme upper reaches of the Yangtze River, taking you eventually to Zhongdian, a quiet and peaceful location close to the Tibetan border. Then proceed on with a visit to Tiger Leaping Gorge and the First Bend of the Yangtze River. The entire 16km gorge rises 3900m from its base to the elevated snow-capped mountains. Late afternoon, transfer to the hotel.

Accommodation:Holy Palace Hotel Shangri-la

Meals: B/L

Day 08  Shangri-la(Zhongdian)

Activities: Your sightseeing today will take you on a full day excursion around Zhongdian, which marks the start of the Tibetan world. Take in the wonders of the Shangri-La Potatso National Park including Bitahai Lake, the Shuduhu Lake and the village of Tibetan Culture.

Accommodation:Holy Palace Hotel Shangri-la

Meals: B/L

Day 09  Shangri-La (Zhongdian)

Activities: You will continue your sightseeing today with a visit to Shangri-la Valley.

Accommodation:Holy Palace Hotel Shangri-la

Meals: B/L

Day 10  Shangri-la (Zhongdian) -  - Kunming

Activities: On your final day in Shangri-la, experience the Tibetan Minority Culture at the ancient Shangri-La town of Dukezong and Songzanlin Monastery. In the evening, you will be transferred to the airport for the flight to Kunming. Upon arrival, your friendly China Holidays Guide will be waiting for you and will transfer you to the hotel.

Accommodation:Golden Dragon Hotel Kunming

Meals: B/L

Day 11  Depart from Kunming

Activities: Today you farewell Kunming as your guide meets you and transfers you to the airport for your onward flight.

Accommodation:

Meals: B

Day 01  Arrive in Kunming

Kunming, capital of Yunnan Province, with a history of more than 2400 years, is the focal point of Yunnan minority culture. Kunming enjoys a pleasant climate and does its best to live up to its title of "the City of Eternal Spring".Just relax and be ready for the exploration in the following days.

Day 02  Kunming

Lying 15 km west of Kunming City, the Dragon Gate in the Western Hills is close to the west shore of the Dianchi Lake. It consists of the Sanqing Temple Complex and the Dragon Gate Grotto Complex. The buildings of the Sanqing Taoist Temple are arranged in nine tiers: They are the Lingguan Hall, the Chunyang Pavilion, the Sanqing Hall, the Yuhuang Temple, the Taiqing Palace, the Zhenwu Hall, the Luzu Temple, the Qisheng Temple, Lingxiao Pavilion, the Laojun Pavilion and the Taiji Palace. The Dragon Gate Grotto Complex, on the other hand, includes Lanhaichu, the Ciyun Cave, the Yunhua Cave and the Datian Pavilion.The marvelous Dragon Gate Grotto Complex was accomplished through 72 years hard work (1781-1853).
Located by the Dianchi Lake and at the foot of the Western Hill, the Village is a major part of Kunming Dianchi National Tourist and Holiday Zone. Opened to the public on February 18, 1992, the community is 8 km away from the city of Kunming proper and covers an area of 1,340 mus. The whole community contains 26 villages, and so far the Dai Village, the Bai Village, the Yi Village, the Naxi Village, the Wa Village, the Jinuo Village, the Lahu Village, the Bulang Village and 4 other villages have been completed.

Day 03  Kunming -  - Dali

Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple, commonly known as Dali Three Pagodas, and located in the Chongsheng Temple, northwest of Dali City in Yunnan Province, it is a major national treasure under preservation.
Cangshan Mountain: Mt. Cangshan, also called Diancang Mountain, was once named Xiongcang Mountain and in ancient times was called Lingjiu Mountain. Mt. Cangshan is made of 19 peaks and makes up the highest peaks of the Yunling Mountain Range. All are 3,500 meters (11,483 feet) above the sea level and at 4,122-meter (13,524-feet), Malong Peak is the highest. In between every two peaks are streams, and water rushes down the mountain and pours into Erhai Lake. These streams originate from spring water or thawing snow and irrigate the farmlands around.
Cangshan Mountain enjoys great reputation for its snow, clouds, springs and marble. The unmelted snow on Mt. Cangshan is top of the Four Famous Scenes (wind, flowers, snow and moon) in Dali. The snow is so dazzling and splendent when the sun rises, especially in March. On a moonlight night, the snow reflecting off the mountain makes one feel that they are in a crystal world.

Day 04  Dali

The Erhai Lake is located in the Dali Autonomous Prefecture of Yunnan Province. It stretches 42 kilometers from north to south and 3.9 kilometers from east to west. The lake covers an area of more than 250 square kilometers and is 21.5 meters at the deepest. It is ranked the second place in Yunnan Province and the seventh freshwater lake in the nation by area and water storage.
It means "sea shaped like an ear" in Chinese, implying that the lake is ear shaped and as large as a sea, hence it was named so. It is like a crescent lying between Cangshan and Dali city as seen from Cangshan Mount. In a sunny day, the crystal waters of Erhai Lake and the snow mantled Cangshan Mount radiate with each other. Thus the scene was commonly described as "Silver Cangshan and Jade Erhai".
Xizhou Bai's Houses: Bai minority are much in evidence at Xizhou, 18 km north of Dali Ancient Town. Green mountains, winding creeks and fertile land make here a lyrical and carefree life. The history of Xizhou can be dated back to the Sui Dynasty (581-618 AD). At that time, it was called the city of Dali. It was later conquered by General Shi Wansui, so it also enjoys the name of Shicheng (Shi City).
People nowadays regard Xizhou as a town that is famous for the Bai minority culture. The old houses and streets are well preserved, through which visitors may still find some traces of past glory.

Day 05  Dali -  - Lijiang

Lijiang Ancient Town: Lijiang Ancient Town, which is perfectly adapted to the uneven topography of this key commercial and strategic site, has retained a historic townscape of high quality and authenticity. Its architecture is noteworthy for the blending of elements from several cultures that have come together over many centuries. Lijiang also possesses an ancient water-supply system of great complexity and ingenuity that still functions effectively today. The town is a delightful maze of cobbled streets, wooden buildings, canals and "hurly-burly" of market life.
As its center there is a square. It was first built in 1126 in the late Song Dynasty and in 1253 Kublai (the first emperor of the Yuan Dynasty) was stationed here on his march into the south. Lijiang is worldly renowned as an ancient town built in a simple and artistic style and scientifically laid out. It was listed as a national historical and cultural city in 1986.

Day 06  Lijiang

The Black Dragon Pool is a famous pond in the scenic Jade Spring Park (Yu Quan Gong Yuan) located at the foot of Elephant Hill, a short walk north of the Old Town of Lijiang in Yunnan province, China. It was built in 1737 during the Qing Dynasty and offers a spectacular view on the region's tallest mountain, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, over its white marble bridge. The park features several smaller temples and pavilions.
The Jade Dragon Snow Mountain: Locating between 10004'-10016'east longitude and 2703'-2740' north latitude, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (Yulong Mountain) is the southernmost glacier in the Northern Hemisphere. Consisting of 13 peaks, among which Shanzidou is the highest one with an altitude of 5,600 meters (18,360 feet), Jade Dragon Snow Mountain stretches a length of 35 kilometers (22 miles) and a width of 20 kilometers (13 miles). Looking from Lijiang Old Town in the south which is 15 kilometers (nine miles) away, the snow-covered and fog-enlaced mountain resembles a jade dragon lying in the clouds, hence, the name Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
Longquan Naxi Ethnic Village: Shuhe Naxi Village, also known as Longquan Village by the local people, located 4 km to the northwest of Lijiang ancient town, is the earliest habitation for the Naxi ancestors in Lijiang, and one of the most well-preserved important markets along the Tea-Horse Ancient Road.
Dongba Museum in Lijiang, which was designed to display the splendid Dongba culture, is located nearby Yuquan Garden, covering an area of 7 acres. The major infrastructure of the museum is archaized Naxi modest Siheyuan(Courtyard House). It is built rationally according to the site topography and landforms, forming the ancient architectural complex with the colonial courtyard as the major building area. The building of Dongba Museum follows the layout of Naxi folk house in different historical periods, taking advantage of the natural landscape of Yuquan Spring and Elephant Mountain.

Day 07  Lijiang -  - Shangri-la (Zhongdian)

First Bend of the Yangtze River(Stone Drum): Also named ??The Stone Drum Town?? (Shigu Village) which is at the base of the mountain flanking the First Bay of the Yangtze River, stands a small town called Stone Drum Town. This town derives its name from a white marble carved monument in the shape of a drum, (diameter 15 m, thickness 0.7 m). This monument memorializes the victory and subsequent spread of power of Baizhuang, the Tusi of Mu Family of Lijiang, during the Jiajin years of the Ming Dynasty. This historically relevant stone monument was erected during one of the earliest periods in Lijiang. To the right of the monument is a lovely willow forest at its bank; while on the left flows the Chongjiang River. Spanning this river is the 17m long Tiehong Bridge, constructed of boards paved over iron chains, and with similar iron chains serving as fences on both sides. Stone Drum Town is a historically important town on the ancient trade route for tea and horses between inland provinces and Tibet. The town still features a flourishing trade fair, currently held every three days.
Tiger Leaping Gorge: Tiger Leaping Gorge is a canyon on the Yangtze River,locally called the Golden Sands River-located 60 km north of Lijiang City, Yunnan in southwestern China. It is part of the Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas World Heritage Site.

Day 08  Shangri-la(Zhongdian)

Located 22km east of Shangri-La, Patatso is the first national park in mainland China. In Tibetan language, Patatso means reaching the opposite side of the lake by boat under the help of deity. Bitahai Lake and Shuduhu Lake are two major parts of the park. Besides these two lakes, forest, marsh, valley, alpine meadow and so on can be seen in the park. All major spots are connected by walkable plank, whcih offers a closer distance for travelers to experince the natural environment.
Bitahai Lake: As the highest lake in Yunnan, Bitahai Lake is 3,500m above the sea level. Covering an area of about 159 hectares with an average depth of 20m, Bitaihai Lake is famous for its limpid water and its beautiful scenery which is set against the mountains and with forests surrounding it. In ancient Tibetan language, Bita means the area heavily covered with trees. One can find century-old pines and cypresses grow around the lake, in which the water is crystal clear. In the lake there is an islet covered by cedars and azaleas. In spring, when the withered azalea flowers fall into the lake and are eaten by fish, the fish seem to be unconscious and almost drunk. They float on the surface with their abdomen facing the sky. Around the lake are virgin forests - ideal habitat for rare animals including red-footed pheasant, silver pheasant, wide bull, leopard and lynx.
Shuduhu Lake: Clear water, lovely fish, herds of cows and sheep, and surrounded by lots of primitive forests is the truly description of Shuduhu Lake. The lake water is so limpid that people could see Shudu cracked-stomach fish produced in the lake whose colour is golden and there is a crack line along its stomach. "Shu" means cheese in Tibetan and "Du" has the meaning of stone. It has a legend that in ancient times, an eminent monk roamed from place to place, one day, he arrived here. The herdsmen supported and treated him with cheese. The eminent monk was glad to see that the cheese of the pastureland of Shudukang is as strong as stone, so he prayed 'wish the cheese here is as strong as stone forever'. From then on the name of Shudukang came into being.

Day 09  Shangri-La (Zhongdian)

Shika Mountain is about 4440 meters above sea level. Some people might have difficulty breathing up there due to the lack of oxygen in highlands. But you will enjoy the great views of the surrounding mountain ranges and valleys.

Day 10  Shangri-la (Zhongdian) -  - Kunming

Dukezong: Dukezong, a Tibetan town located in Shangri-La, offers sanctuary to all those seeking refuge from the busy city life. Dukezong's authentic Tibetan dwellings, gilded prayer halls and pagodas, and lanterns of various shapes lighting the way along narrow, winding lanes are permeated with the grace as well as the mystique of antiquity that enchants visitors the moment they set foot in it. Dukezong was a key stop on the Ancient Tea-horse Road and a focal point for Han-Tibetan exchanges. It is the largest and best-preserved Tibetan city among China's 147 Tibetan counties. It is also site of the largest ancient Tibetan community. There was human life in Shangri-La at the Paleolithic Age, and a tribal society inhabited it during the Western Zhou Dynasty (1100-771 BC). It was in the 7th century that the Tubo Regime conquered Deqin, and then built Dukezong. As one of the oldest towns in the region, it is also known as the 'footstep of Shangri-La'. According to Tibetan Buddhist scriptures, there is a lost city called Shambhala in the Snow Mountains, shaped like an eight-petal lotus flower. The 1.6-square-kilometer Dukezong Town is also laid out in this design. All 1,084 of its houses radiate out from Turtle Hill at the center, arranged in conformity with Tibetan Buddhist geomantic theory.
Guihua Temple - Songzanlin Monastery: Songzanlin Lamasery: The largest Tibetan Buddhist lamasery in Yunnan Province. Occupying an area of 33.3 hectares, Songzanlin was built in the style of Potala Palace in Lhasa and represents the Tibetan culture, the statue of Buddhists and many precious cultural treasures will leave you with unforgettable memory.

Day 11  Depart from Kunming

In the past few days you have had a wonderful time in China. You must be fascinated about China. We are sure that you have enjoyed its splendid culture and unique scenery and you can be our best ambassadors to share that experience with your friends and neighbors. We sincerely hope to see you revisit China again with your friends.